ECOLOGY

Environment warm forests
Organization solitary, pair, patrol (3–8), or tribe (9–20 plus 1–3 dire apes, 1–3 fighter sub-chieftains of 2nd level, 1 cleric of Angazhan of 3rd–5th level, and 1 chieftain of any class of 4th–8th level)
Treasure standard (but see Treasure in Expanded Ecology below for more information)

Although they call themselves the charau-ka, these dangerous jungle dwellers are often known to colonists and explorers as ape-men. Legend holds that the charau-ka stem from a demon lord who transformed the bodies of the first humans that tried to wage war against his cult, causing the dead to rise as the first apemen. Rumors that charau-ka clerics have perfected a hideous ritual to force those slain to reincarnate as new charau-ka are popular tales among jungle explorers—but proof of such a magic spell has yet to reach civilization.

Today, the charau-ka are one of the most fecund and widespread races.

Charau-ka generally dwell in small tribes of a few dozen members. They often keep dangerous jungle creatures as pets or guardians, trusting to their druids or animal handlers to keep the deadly beasts under control. A typical charau-ka village extends from the jungle floor up into the canopy above, and usually includes several treehouse-style structures connected by vines or rope bridges.

Charau-ka carry little treasure. They have no interest in silver or gold. Metal has value only in the form of weaponry—and then it becomes very valuable indeed. Most individual charau-ka own little more than a few crude weapons—most often spears and throwing clubs of wood, stone, and bone—combined with some cured hide armor, and perhaps a few shiny pebbles or small relics from lost temples as curios and tokens used for courting.

Charau-Ka Encounters

Source PCS:ISMC

While charau-ka can be encountered alone, they typically travel with other simians as either a hunting party or an entire tribe, using superior numbers against whatever quarry they find in the wilderness. Hunting parties may include as few as two hunters or as many as eight. When a charau-ka tribe traverses the jungle, members move in hooting and whooping groups ranging from 12 to 25 adults, attempting to panic outnumbered enemies before overwhelming them. As many as three lieutenant warriors lead the attack, supported by a demon-worshiping cleric and directed by a powerful and experienced chief who commands up to three dire apes. Charau-ka pelt opponents into submission with rocks expertly thrown from trees above their targets, and with a gesture by their leader, they disappear into the foliage in an instant. Fiercely territorial, they respond to any sizable incursion on their hunting grounds and engage any group deemed weak enough to defeat.

Charau-ka attack as a pack, aiming to separate the weakest target from a group of enemies. They focus their assault to subdue opponents one at a time in order of perceived frailty. Should their foes respond with powerful magic or potent physical attacks, they disappear into the jungle and wait for another chance for an ambush. Tribal leaders allow infighting only when within range of a blood totem; as a prelude to internal conflicts, lieutenants often attempt to capture powerful opponents and force them to battle for sport in front of the charau-ka before challenging the chief for leadership of the tribe.

Charau-Ka Traps

Source PCS:ISMC

The charau-ka litter the jungles with traps, imperiling unwitting travelers. The following are but a sampling of the devious traps they devise throughout their jungle territories.